Despite lingering questions surrounding the left tackle position, the New England Patriots 2019 offensive line unit impressed enough to get high marks from the analysis team over at Pro Football Focus.
The analytics site recently compiled a ranking of all 32 NFL teams’ offensive line groups, and the Patriots managed to grab the No. 6 spot behind the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.
The Patriots probably would have been much higher on the list if the team still had left tackle Trent Brown on the roster. After spending one spectacular season with the team, the massive behemoth entrusted with protecting quarterback Tom Brady’s blindside signed a whopping four-year, $66 million deal with the Oakland Raiders in the offseason, leaving the Patriots to put their faith in second-year tackle Isaiah Wynn.
The 2018 first-round draft pick missed his entire rookie season after tearing his Achilles in the preseason. So one can only speculate just exactly how he’ll fit when called to action, which should be often in 2019.
There is no question the strength of the Patriots offensive front lies in the stellar guard combination of Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney. In late June, PFF ranked the potent guard tandem as the best in the league.
The Patriots will also see a return of a pair of scrappy, dependable veteran players in right tackle Marcus Cannon and center David Andrews. Experience is a must with a soon-to-be 42-year-old quarterback standing behind center. Not to mention the team’s renewed focus on establishing balance with its four-headed rushing attack.
As long as the Patriots win in the trenches, it’s hard to see them losing anywhere else.
